A gift fit for Prince George – all the way from Singapore

Ladies from a British country club in Singapore have worked on a special quilt
for the royal baby amid a surge in patriotism among expats.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, meets members of public as she attends a cultural event in Singapore during a tour last year. Expats in the city state have sent a gift for her new baby. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

A special quilt for the new royal baby is winging its way to London all the way from Singapore.

The gift comes from the British Club in the city state where many expatriates followed the news about Prince George closely, having been enchanted by his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, when they visited last year.

The couple stopped in Singapore last September as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. They met with hundreds of expats and locals on a tour of the island, creating a frenzy wherever they went.

Maggie Ashman, head of the handicraft group at the British Club said: “We started working on the quilts soon after the announcement was made of the Duchess's pregnancy. So we made two quilts – one for a boy and one for a girl.

"The lovely thing was that the group wasn’t just made up of Brits but was multinational with ladies from Malaysia, Switzerland, America and Germany as well.’’

She added: “The quilts took the group two months to make. The boy’s one has sailing motifs and flags to reflect Singapore as a port and an island.’’

The quilt for the newborn boy has been sent to Clarence House in London – the official home of Prince George’s grandparents the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall – together with a letter of congratulation.

The quilt made in case the baby was a princess was raffled off and helped raise S$60,000 (£31,000) for the British Club's nominated charities – the Gurkha Welfare Trust and Riding for the Disabled.

Ashman, a retired teacher, said she stayed up late on Monday night to await news of the baby’s arrival. Singapore is seven hours ahead of the UK. British expat Sally McGuiness also stayed up to hear the news. She said: “When the Royal couple visited Singapore last year there was a real buzz about the place and everyone, including Singaporeans, were really excited to see them.

"I don’t think people would have got so excited about the royal birth over the last couple of days if they hadn’t have made that visit. I know quite a few people who are celebrating the arrival of Prince George, even if it’s an excuse to have a few drinks.’’

The news comes on the back of a wave of patriotism among expats triggered by the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Duke and Duchess's wedding, the 2012 Olympics in London and Andy Murray’s Wimbledon victory.

A spokesman for the British Corner Shop, which is one of the leading suppliers of British foods around the world through its website, said: "In the last year, sales of British memorabilia among the expat community has dramatically increased.

“With all that has happened in the royal and sporting world over the last 12 months, it’s becoming clear that British people are finally developing a sense of pride when it comes to their country.”

Mark Callaghan, managing director of the shop said popular items included Union Jack key rings and Diamond Jubilee mugs and tea towels.